Spring-bedstead



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES F. SPENCER, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

SPRING-BEDSTEAD.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 23,404, dated March 29. 1859.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. SPENCER, of Rochester, in the county ofMonroe and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Method ofConstructing Spring-Bedsteads; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full and exact description thereof, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings and to the letters of reference markedthereon.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section thereof. Fig. 2 is a section of thesprings detached. Fig. 8 is an inverted view of a portion of the springbottom. Fig. 4L is a section showing a change in the position of thefulcra or lower hearings of the springs.

Similar letters refer to corresponding parts in all the figures.

Across the bottom of the bedstead frame I place four transverse bars, AA, and B B, which rest on the strip C, which is attached to thesideboard D. A series of slats E, F of two and a half or three inches inwidth and ths to -ths of an inch, or thereabout, in thickness, and of alength corresponding to the side rail of the bed-stead are provided of anumber suiiicient to lill the space within the bedstead frame when laidside by side. These are arranged by placing one end of each between thebars A, B, as shown, the end being below A and resting on the top of B,at a little distance back, the opposite end being free to move up anddown as its flexi hility will allow. These are disposed with the freeand confined ends alternately at the head and foot, as seen in Fig. 3,so that the free end of one half is elevated at the head and the otherhalf at the foot Blocks, g, are glued to the head and foot boards toprevent them from being displaced laterally, but which do not interferewith their vertical motion. Another series of horizontal slats, Gr, isplaced longitudinally on the top of them, one end resting on the freeend of E, and the other on that of F, forming a level top or surface forthe reception of the mattress.

It will be seen that all the unconfined part of the slats from thefulcrum B, being made thin for the purpose, forms a spring, and theentire length of the upper series, acting as such also, the combinedelfect 'of the latter in conjunction with a pair of the former is toproduce a very elastic bottoml for the bed. Each of the upper slatsoperates independently of the next, and either end independently of theother. The fulcrum bars, B, are movable by withdrawing a pin at each endwhich secures them in the holes, 7a. L, as shown in Fig. 3, and, byplacing them nearer to or farther from the bars A, a greater or lessdegree of flexibility is obtained.

If the slats lose their flexibility or become bent from use, they arereadily drawn out and replaced in an inverted position, by which theirlost qualities are at once restored. Their thickness should be varied tosuit the firmness of the wood employed. Metal springs may be used intheir place though I prefer wood from its lightness and greatercheapness.

A strip K, placed above t-he slats at each end serves to keep them ofequal height when not in use. It is readily removed by withdrawing pinswhich secure it.

These springs accommodate themselvesto the weight of the occupant, andto his person to as great an extent as is compatible with comfort.

The head of the bed may be made to have less spring than the foot ifdesired by adjusting the fulcrum bars accordingly.

As no nails, screws or other fastenings are employed it can not well getout of order, and from its great simplicity can be kept clean and freefrom vermin with the greatest ease; while its remarkable cheapnessrecommends it to the larger class of community.

I am aware that wooden slats with metallic springs have been used andthat a patent was granted November 16, 1858, in which the slats arepermanently attached at one end with wooden springs attached at themiddle of each resting against a transverse bar; but differing inarrangement and effectfrom mine; therefore I do not claim broadly theuse of spring slats; but

I claim- The combination and arrangement of the spring slats E, F, withthe bars A A, and fulcra B, B, the latter arranged to increase ordiminish the effect, and horizontal slats G resting at once on the freeends of each reverse series, substantially in the manner and for thepurpose herein described.

CHARLES F. SPENCER.

TWitnesses J. FRASER, S. J. ALLIs.

